1936 Elgin Bluebird - Progress!

[Phattiremike]

Great job! Please continue with photos as you go along.

 

[Velocipedist Co.]

I thought I'd work on something different today. This is a bluebird speedometer that I was able to piece together with Stewart Warner parts from an old tachometer. These tachometers share the same shallow profile, bezel, domed lens and needle. I used one of the speedo decals that I had printed awhile back. While it will never function as a working speedometer, its virtually indistinguishable from an original once installed.

I have a correct NOS speedo that I will eventually install with cable and drive basket, but for the moment this one will look more at home on my weathered bird.

A little walnut woodstain on the decal, and no one should ever know that its a replica except for me. ..And anyone who reads this post.

 

[Velocipedist Co.]

 

[Robertriley]

I see that the wood stain worked pretty good. I use it to age all kinds of stuff.

 

[Velocipedist Co.]

I see that the wood stain worked pretty good. I use it to age all kinds of stuff.

Without a plan in mind, I walked over to my shop cabinet to discover an empty can of WD40, carb cleaner, and wood stain. I guess I got lucky! Thanks for the encouragement earlier.

 

[Robertriley]

Looks great!

 

[Velocipedist Co.]

Approaching midnight on a Saturday... Is anyone else still tinkering on a project? I put another 10 hours into the bluebird frame today with some notable progress!

Finish filled, sanded, cleaned and primed in oxide red.

 

[Velocipedist Co.]

The fork was in need of some straightening. I was able to get my hands on a straight Skylark fork for referance. Thanks Scott!

You can see my mangled original placed on top of a fork with the correct profile.

 

[Velocipedist Co.]

A torch, many hours of trial and error, some critical tools borrowed, a sourdough jack and two diet cokes later...

 

[Velocipedist Co.]

And in the excitement knocked over the frame and put a good dent in one side.